Giovanni Malagò has backed Diana Bianchedi’s decision to resign as head of Italy’s national team delegation, describing sports minister Andrea Abodi’s intervention as inappropriate.
Bianchedi stepped down after Abodi criticised her disagreement with president Luciano Buonfiglio over placing the Italian Weightlifting Federation under special administration.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Lega Pro assembly, Malagò said he understood and supported her decision.
“It is a choice I can only agree with,” he said. “Abodi’s intervention was unconventional, ill-judged and out of place. I think it is impossible to say she was wrong.”
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Malagò said Bianchedi had been particularly troubled by the minister commenting on conduct within the executive board.
“Diana was particularly upset that the sports minister intervened in matters concerning behaviour within the board,” he said.
He argued that the dispute raised wider questions about the autonomy of sporting organisations and their ability to manage internal disagreements.
“This is not about being friends with Mario or Carlo, Giovanni or Luciano,” Malagò said. “There is an obvious intervention here which, in my view, is completely wrong in terms of the autonomy of sport.”
Malagò also suggested this was not the first time the minister had made contentious remarks about sporting matters, adding that the facts surrounding Bianchedi’s departure were clear.
